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9610 Staff Substance Abuse

STAFF SUBSTANCE ABUSE 

The Board of Education strongly believes that all staff members are perceived, consciously or unconsciously, as role models in the school and in the community. Since substance abuse has become a national problem, particularly among children and teenagers, the Board believes that school employees must exemplify the positive benefits of a drug-free lifestyle. The Board therefore will not tolerate the illegal use (including possession, sale and/or manufacture) of drugs by staff members either in the workplace, or at any time when the effects of such drug(s) may impair the performance of their duties. In this context, alcohol is considered a drug.

As mentioned in 9125, Drug-Free Workplace, the district shall maintain an employee awareness program, including information regarding substance abuse rehabilitation programs provided by local agencies.

If an employee is found to have violated the terms of this policy, he/she may be subject to a range of penalties up to and including dismissal. Such employee may be required to participate in a substance abuse rehabilitation program in lieu of disciplinary action.

Drug-Testing of Employees

No employee shall be subjected to urinalysis or other form of drug-testing without reasonable suspicion that the employee has been using an illegal drug(s). The school attorney shall be consulted before any implementation of such testing.

Cross-ref: 9125, Drug-Free Workplace

Ref: Civil Service Law §75

Education Law §3020-a

Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers v. Board of Education, 70 NY2d 57 (1987)

Adoption date: November 22, 1993

Revised: May 30, 2023